Is Wednesday a "must win" game in Indy?

ASK IRA:

March 25, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

Q: Come on Ira, Andrew Bynum is looking good for the Pacers. It seems like the Heat could have used a bit of that inside productivity. Why we didn't go after Bynum still baffles me. I love Oden, but he hasn't put together those numbers in all games combined (exaggerated). It just seem like the Heat should have known that losing out on Bynum would be huge. When Roy Hibbert goes out, in come Bynum and Luis Scola. How will we combat that? -- Keith.

A: By having LeBron James on the floor. Look I'm not saying that Oden ever would have been a game-changer in Heat-Pacers, but I still have severe doubts that Bynum will be either. Every minute that Bynum plays for the Pacers is a minute that Hibbert or David West is not on the floor.

Q: I remember your continued calls for a third point guard, and looking at how Patrick Beverley plays and how James Jones doesn't, it's a shame. -- Lef.

A: Look, Beverley is yesterday's news for the Heat. They went with Eddie House in 2010 because they were in win-now mode, and I have no issue with that. But as with so many others on this roster, they have had Roger Mason Jr. and Toney Douglas, and there still is a lack of trust in anyone beyond Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole at point guard, with Douglas utilized for all of 1:40 Sunday. I know the Heat say otherwise (as they should), but there sure seem to be plenty of players on this roster in whom there is little faith. Then again, the versatility of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Shane Battier allow you to make more out of an eight-man rotation than most teams.

March 16, 2014

Q: The Big Three have worked well again this season, while Greg Oden and Michael Beasley have not so far. Pat Riley is so savvy that he is already planning his moves for next season, learning from the personnel mistakes he made this year. -- L.K.

A: But that's next year. To a degree, as Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason Jr., James Jones and even Toney Douglas have fallen to the wayside, it's as if Beasley and Oden have to be able to make it work in order for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to have the needed support. While Ray Allen certainly took a step forward on Friday night, there continues to be regression from Norris Cole. The question about the Heat's depth at this late hour is both legitimate and somewhat disturbing.

Q: I know Toney Douglas isn't the long-term answer, but what happened to adapting during the game? If Cole and Mario Chalmers are letting guys burn by them, might as well try Douglas. -- Scott, Los Angeles.

A: Well, if you're a regular reader of this space, you know that I had been an advocate for years of a third point guard, albeit more in case of injury than any other reason. But your point is valid, especially for this reason: The Heat have far too many players on this team who have no role whatsoever. There is nothing wrong with specialists, as long as your specialty is not "DNP-CD".

Q: Please explain to me why Shane Battier is still starting. He hasn't produced at all. It's time for a change. Please Spo! -- Justin.

A: And yet, a change at this point just might be construed as panic.

March 15, 2014

Q: LeBron James' passive fourth-quarter play of late reminds me of LeBron's performance against Dallas in the 2011 Finals. -- Stuart.

A: It's interesting, because some (if not most) of LeBron's best ball of the season came when as Dwyane Wade was working himself back to the point of health he is now. During those 2011 Finals, and even through most of that 2010-11 season, LeBron had difficulty adjusting to when to defer and when to take over. Now Wade is getting many of the fourth-quarter looks (although that wasn't necessarily the case Friday) and I'm wondering if LeBron is again caught between deferring and dominating. His postgame comments indicate a lack of comfort during certain situations, with perhaps another readjustment process in play.

Q: At what point does Erik Spoelstra go after this team? If he can't or won't, then Pat Riley needs to! Their play is simply pathetic! No excuses. -- Faye.

A: Well, after giving them Thursday off and going without a game-morning shootaround on Friday, Erik has them back at practice for a Saturday session. It's a fine balance after making it to the NBA Finals each of the past three seasons. On one hand, the Heat again could be playing into late June. On the other hand, Spoelstra has to make sure there is enough precision in place to make it that far. But this is not about Spoelstra or Riley. It's about the Heat's leaders stepping up, LeBron being more forceful late, Wade taking the right shots, Chris Bosh doing more than shooting 3-pointers.

Q: I am good with the Justin Hamilton move. He's young, big and can score, and he rebounds. I wish they could find one more player who plays point. -- Chet.